The Scottish Government and COSLA announced last month that 120,000 families across Scotland will benefit by the payment doubling from £50 for the 2018/19 school term.
And Stirling Council’s Finance & Economy Committee has gone even further by boosting the minimum grant to £130.
Committee convenor, Councillor Margaret Brisley, said: “School uniforms are a significant cost to low income families and this Stirling Council move means that 1,500 local children will receive a school footwear and clothing grant of £130.
“There was no expectation that local authorities pay more than the £100 but this is hopefully a welcome extra investment in our children’s futures.
“A key priority for Stirling Council is to mitigate the impact of austerity and welfare cuts on those hit the hardest.
“We are delighted to be able to go well beyond the new nationally approved minimum grant and fund this £130 payment to families who need it the most.”
Stirling Council’s £130 clothing and footwear grant is being made available for the 2018-19 academic year.
The Scottish Government is funding £50 of the new £100 national minimum allowance after increasing financial support for the scheme by £6million to £12million.
Stirling Council will fund the rest of its £130 grant.
Vice Convenor of the committee, Councillor Alison Laurie, said: “This additional funding is a welcome extra investment in our children’s futures.
“Access to decent clothing is an important part of helping children get the best from their education. Uniforms encourage a sense of pride in students and equality with their peer groups.
"This is about giving all children the best possible start in life no matter what their background is.
"This increase in the clothing and footwear grant underlines Stirling Council’s commitment to giving our young people the best possible learning experience.”
Further information on applications is available online via the MyStirling site and parents are encouraged to apply now for the payment if they already receive:
1) Income support
2) Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
3) Income related Employment and Support Allowance
4) Child tax credit (with income under £16,105)
5) Maximum Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit (with an income under £6,420)
6) Working Tax Credit with income under £16,105 (clothing grant only)
7) Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
8) Universal Credit where monthly earned income does not exceed £610